Other HPV Information (from the internet)
Taken from:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000886.htmGenital WartsAlternative names Condylomata acuminata; Penile warts; Human papilloma virus (HPV); Venereal warts; Condyloma
Definition Genital warts are soft wart-like growths on the genitals caused by a viral skin disease. Genital warts are a type of sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Causes, incidence, and risk factors The virus responsible for genital warts is called human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus can cause warts on the p***s, vulva, urethra, v****a, cervix, and around the a**s.
HPV infection around the genitals is common, although most people have no symptoms. Even if you do NOT have symptoms, however, you must be treated to avoid complications and spreading the condition to others.
There are more than 70 different types of HPV. Several types are associated with genital warts. Other types are associated with common or flat warts elsewhere on the skin.
HPV grows well in the moist genital area. Warts on the outer genitals are easily recognized. They are raised, flesh-colored lesions that may occur singly or in clusters. Left untreated, warts may rapidly enlarge, taking on a "cauliflower-like" appearance.
In women, HPV can invade the v****a and cervix. These warts are flat and not easily visible without special procedures. Because HPV can lead to cancerous and precancerous changes in the cervix, it is important that this condition be diagnosed and treated. Regular pap smears are necessary to detect HPV or other abnormal changes related to this virus. Having both HPV and herpes virus together puts you at particular risk for cervical cancer.
The following factors put you at higher risk for getting genital warts and other complications of HPV:
- Multiple sexual partners
- Not knowing if someone you had sex with had STDs
- Early age when you start to be sexually active
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Stress and other viral infections (such as HIV or herpes) at the same time
If a child has genital warts, you should suspect sexual abuse as a possible cause.
Symptoms - Raised, flesh-colored lesions on the genitals, a**s, or surrounding skin
- Cauliflower-like appearing growths around the a**s or genitals
- Increased dampness or moisture in the area of the growths
- Itching of the p***s, scrotum, a**l area, or a vulvar itch
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding (not associated with a menstrual period) after sexual intercourse
Often, however, there are no symptoms.
Signs and tests A genital examination reveals flesh-colored to white, flat or raised, single or clustered lesions anywhere on the genitalia.
In women, a pelvic examination may reveal growths on the vaginal walls or the cervix. Magnification (colposcopy) may be used to see lesions invisible to the naked eye. The tissue of the v****a and cervix may be treated with acetic acid to make the warts visible. A pap smear may note changes associated with HPV.
Treatment Genital warts must be treated by a doctor. DO NOT use over-the counter remedies meant for other kinds of warts. Your doctor may treat genital warts by applying a skin treatment in the office. Or, the doctor may prescribe a medication that you apply at home several times per week.
Surgical treatments include cryosurgery, electrocauterization, laser therapy, or cutting them out.
If you develop genital warts, all of your sexual partners must be examined by a health care provider and treated if genital warts are found.
After your initial treatment, your doctor will schedule follow-up examinations to see if the warts have returned.
Women who have had genital warts, and women whose partners ever had genital warts, should have pap smears at least every 6 months. For warts on the cervix, women may be advised to have pap smears every 3 months after initial treatment.
Expectations (prognosis) With proper treatment, genital wart outbreaks of usually can be controlled. However, the warts frequently reappear after treatment. Even after you have been treated for HPV, you may still infect others.
Complications At least 70 types of HPV have been identified, several of which have been linked to cervical and vulvar cancer. The warts may become numerous and quite large, requiring more extensive treatment and follow-up procedures.
Calling your health care provider Call your doctor if a current or past sexual partner is found to have genital warts. Call if you have visible warts on your external genitals, itching, discharge, or abnormal vaginal bleeding. Keep in mind that genital warts may not appear for months to years after having sexual contact with an infected person.
Call your doctor if a young child is thought to possibly have genital warts.
Sexually active teens are very susceptible to HPV and should get screened for HPV infection regularly.
Prevention Total abstinence is the only foolproof way of avoiding genital warts and other STDs. You can also avoid STDs by having a monogamous sexual relationship with a partner known to be disease-free.
Skin near the warts and around the genitals, a**s, and other areas can pass the virus from one person to the next. Therefore, male and female condoms cannot fully protect you. Nonetheless, condoms should still be used. They reduce your chances of getting or spreading STDs. These precautions must be taken at all times. HPV can be passed from person to person even when there are no visible warts or other symptoms. See: Safe sex
A new vaccine called Gardasil prevents infection against four of the HPV strains responsible for the majority of genital warts and cervical cancer in women. The vaccine is given as a series of three shots. It is for use in females only.
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Taken from:
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3813Definition of Human papillomavirus Human papillomavirus: HPV. A family of over 100 viruses including those which cause warts and are transmitted by contact. Some types of HPV are associated with tumors of the genital tract including, notably, cancer of the cervix.
Of the more than 100 types of HPVs, over 30 types can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Most genital HPV infections come and go over the course of a few years. However, sometimes HPV infection may persist for many years, with or without causing cellular abnormalities.
The majority of HPVs produce warts on the hands, fingers, and even the face. Most of these viruses are thus innocuous, causing nothing more than cosmetic concerns. HPVs also can cause painful plantar warts (on the sole of the foot).
Several types of HPV, however, are confined primarily to the moist skin of the genitals, producing genital warts and markedly elevating the risk for cancer of the cervix.
Genital warts (technically known as condylomata acuminatum) are most commonly associated with two HPV types, HPV-6 and HPV-11. The warts may appear within several weeks after sexual contact with a person who is infected with HPV, or they may take months or years to appear, or they may never appear. HPVs may also cause flat, abnormal growths in the genital area and on the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that extends into the v****a). However, HPV genital infections usually cause no symptoms.
HPVs are now recognized as the major cause of cervical cancer. HPVs may play a role in cancers of the a**s, vulva, v****a, and some cancers of the oropharynx (the middle part of the throat that includes the soft palate, the base of the tongue, and the tonsils). Infection with HPV is also a risk factor for penile cancer (cancer of the p***s).
Some types of HPVs are referred to as "low-risk" viruses because they rarely cause cancer. HPVs that are more likely to lead to the development of cancer are referred to as "high-risk." Both low- and high-risk types of HPVs can cause the growth of abnormal cells, but generally only the high-risk types of HPVs may lead to cancer.
Sexually transmitted, high-risk HPVs include types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68, 69, and possibly a few others. These high-risk types of HPVs cause growths that are usually flat and nearly invisible, as compared with the warts caused by types HPV-6 and HPV-11.
A risk factor for HPV infection is a history of many sexual partners. Although HPV infections may go away on their own without causing any type of abnormality, infection with high-risk HPV types increases the chance that mild cellular abnormalities will progress to more severe ones and to cervical cancer. Still, of the women who do develop abnormal cell changes with high-risk types of HPVs, only a small percentage would develop cervical cancer if the abnormal cells were not removed.
Studies suggest that whether a woman develops cervical cancer depends on a variety of factors acting together with high-risk HPVs. The factors that may increase the risk of cervical cancer in women with HPV infection include smoking and having many children.
HPVs produce proteins known as E5, E6, and E7. These proteins interfere with the cell functions that normally prevent excessive growth. For example, HPV E6 interferes with the human protein p53. This protein is present in all people and acts to keep tumors from growing.
Vaccines for certain papillomaviruses, such as HPV-16 and HPV-18, are being studied in clinical trials for the prevention of cervical cancer and similar trials for other types of cancer are planned.
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Taken from:
http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/sexual_health/sti/hpv.htmWhat is human papilloma virus (HPV)?HPV is a family of over 100 viruses that affect different parts of the body. Some strains of HPV cause warts on the feet, hands, and other parts of the body, while other strains are sexually transmitted and cause warts that affect skin in the genital area -- the vulva, v****a, cervix, rectum, a**s, p***s, or scrotum. These are the strains of HPV that will be discussed on this page. There are more than 30 strains of HPV that affect the genital area and depending on the type of HPV involved, symptoms can be in the form of wart-like growths or abnormal cell changes, especially in a woman's cervix, that can be precancerous.
Is it common?In the US, HPV is considered to be the most common STI. Approximately 5.5 million people are newly infected with genital HPV each year and about 20 million people are currently infected. Some studies estimate that 50% to 75% of the sexually active population are exposed to at least 1 strain of HPV, although most people don't develop symptoms. Because HPV is so common, a person can have very few sexual partners and still come into contact with this virus.
How is it transmitted?HPV is transmitted through vaginal, a**l, and oral sex and can be transmitted by skin-to-skin genital contact or rubbing. HPV can spread whether or not warts are visible. Because genital HPV infections are often unseen, they can be transmitted by sex partners who do not know they're infected. A pregnant mother who is infected with HPV can also transmit the virus to her infant during vaginal childbirth.
What are the symptoms?A majority of HPV infections have no signs or symptoms and so most people that are infected are completely unaware but can continue to transmit the virus to sex partner(s).
Depending on the type of HPV, some women have infections that cause abnormal cell growth (dysplasia) on the female cervix. A woman may only find out she has HPV when her annual Pap smear results indicate abnormal cervical cell changes.
Other types of HPV cause visible genital warts. In women, these growths may develop inside the v****a, where they are hard to detect. They can also develop on the lips of the v****a or around the a**s. In men, they usually appear on the p***s, but they are also found on the scrotum or around the a**s. Very rarely, growths can be found in the mouth or the throat.
The growths are typically soft, moist, pink or red swellings and are usually painless but may itch. If allowed to grow, they can block the openings of the v****a, urethra, or a**s and become very uncomfortable. They can be single or multiple growths or bumps, raised or flat, small or large and sometimes form a cauliflower-like shape. Depending on their location, genital warts can cause sores and bleeding.
How soon after exposure to HPV will symptoms appear?Warts typically appear within 3 weeks to 6 months after sexual contact with an infected person, but they can also take years to appear. This time period makes it difficult to track the infection as it's passed from one partner to the next.
How is it diagnosed?Genital warts are diagnosed by a visual inspection from your medical provider. They might also perform a vinegar wash to make the warts easier to see. For women, the Pap smear will also be performed to detect any changes in the cervical cells caused by HPV infection. If the Pap smear results indicate abnormal cell changes, a woman will typically will require a colposcopy (a procedure used to magnify cervical and vaginal tissue) and a biopsy (a procedure that removes tissue samples to be examined under a microscope).
Most men with HPV don't have any symptoms and so diagnosing HPV in men is difficult. Since there is no treatment for asymptomatic HPV, most men are not treated. It is possible for men to think they have no symptoms when they actually do. Sometimes a medical provider can see small warts that have gone unnoticed, particularly if they are right inside the opening of the p***s.
Men and women should stop having sexual contact as soon as they know or think they have genital warts and they should seek treatment immediately.
How is it treated?The goal of the following treatments is to control the virus, but it is important to understand that the underlying HPV infection can't be cured. Like any type of viral infection, HPV stays in your body and can cause warts to appear in the future, particularly when your immune system is suppressed.
There are many ways to remove visible genital warts, depending on their size and location. A medical provider can get rid of smaller warts by freezing them off through cryotherapy, burning them off with an acidic chemical, or removing them through laser surgery. Cyrotherapy and acid treatments can be performed by medical providers at Health Services, and referrals will be given to women who need to be treated through laser surgery. All three procedures may require multiple follow-up visits or treatments. Some patients with HPV are also able to use a cream at home to help treat the warts.
If a woman has cervical dysplasia, the treatment depends on the severity of the diagnosis and the risk of sexual transmission. For less serious cell changes, a woman may be asked to repeat the Pap Smear test and/or to treat her cervix with an antibiotic cream. A medical provider might also choose to remove the affected cells with cryotherapy, laser surgery, or electrocautery.
How does the HPV Vaccine work?There is now a vaccine for HPV, called GARDASIL, which protects against 4 types of HPV (types 6, 11, 16, 1
cool that are linked to 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. It is not used to treat HPV.
How do I cope with an HPV infection?Once you have been treated for HPV, the most important thing you can do for your health is to continue to have regular check-ups. If you have been recently diagnosed and treated, you will need more frequent exams to be sure that the warts have been removed. After a successful treatment men and women should continue to examine their genitals regularly to check for warts and to have annual physical exams to check for any new warts or growths that you can't see. Women should also receive annual Pap smear tests to identify any cervical cell changes.
As with other viral infections, you're less likely to experience genital wart recurrences if you take care of your health. This means that you want to maintain a strong immune system by eating right, getting exercise, getting enough sleep, managing your stress, and avoiding alcohol, tobacco, or other illegal drugs. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will decrease the chances of recurrences, and in time, most people stop having any recurrences.
You can reduce your risk of transmitting HPV to a sexual partner by abstaining from sex, by finding other ways to express intimacy, by avoiding contact with any wart, and/or by using condoms correctly and consistently every time you have sex. Like all safer sex methods (with the exception of abstinence) using condoms is not 100% safe -- genital warts not covered by a condom can still transmit the virus, but condoms are still a crucial step to minimize risk for people who continue to be sexually active.
Being diagnosed with HPV does not mean that you can't have sex ever again! It is important to communicate with your sex partner(s) and give them information about HPV to make informed decisions about sexual activity. Telling a partner that you have HPV, or any other type of STI, can be a difficult and challenging experience. Some partners may react by needing some time to think about how this affects your relationship. Some partners may have a lot of questions, might want to get tested themselves, and might make the decision not to have sex for a while. It's completely normal to feel frustrated, depressed, angry, or guilty about having HPV -- most people diagnosed with an STI have the same concerns. But by taking care of your health, practicing safer sex, and informing yourself and your partners, you are taking all the necessary steps to minimize the risk of recurrences and transmitting the virus to others.
Can HPV infections be dangerous?A small number of genital HPV strains are linked to cancers of the cervix, vulva, v****a, a**s, and p***s. But the strains of HPV that cause genital warts do not seem to be directly associated with the strains that cause cancer. However, since a person can acquire multiple strains of HPV, medical providers consider any case of genital warts to be a warning of potentially cancerous conditions.
Most people recover from HPV infections with no health problems at all. It's not known why some people develop long-term recurrent HPV infections, pre-cancerous abnormal cell changes, or cervical cancer. The symptoms of most genital HPV infections go away by themselves within 6 months. Many people develop immunity - a natural protection - against different types of HPV.
If a pregnant woman has ever had HPV in the past, she might experience a rapid growth of genital warts during her pregnancy because of the change in her hormone levels. This condition must be monitored closely especially during delivery because she can transmit the virus to her infant. If necessary, the medical provider can remove the warts before the birth to avoid excessive bleeding or a cesarean section may be necessary if the warts are likely to bleed heavily.
When a person's immune system is weakened by diabetes, an organ transplant, Hodgkin's disease, HIV/AIDS, or other serious health conditions, they might experience an increase in the size and number of genital warts, and they might experience more frequent recurrences.
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